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VIDEO : Thousands watch Vikings and Saxons do battle at Corfe Castle

THOUSANDS of visitors were transported back in time at Corfe Castle to watch Viking marauders lock horns with Saxon warriors.

The three-day Siege of Wareham re-enactment event, that started at the historic castle grounds on Saturday, continues today.

Tony Thorpe, of the Viking Re-enactment Society, explained: “As well as the main battles and skirmishes we also show the public some of our training exercises, which are quite intense because the guys like to win.”

More than 350 members of the society will take part in the event, which has transported onlookers back to 876AD.

Tony added: “As the public comes in under the gate it opens up to how the castle would have looked like in the period when the Danes were attacking.

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out.

“The battles are noisy, loud and quite frightening in parts.”

The castle’s grounds have been transformed into a Saxon village with more than 60 individual structures.

Members of the public also have the chance to watch young warriors training and take in the sights and sounds in a variety of living history displays.

Today, at 2.30pm, re-enactors in full costume will gather in the village square, before marching to the castle for the main battle.

Holidaymaker Terry Aitken, who attended the event with his two young children earlier in the bank holiday weekend, told the Daily Echo: “The fighting was a lot more ferocious than I thought, but still suitable for the kids.

“It was incredible to hear the clash of swords and it drives it home how brutal the battles must have been.”

Comments

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.Huey

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.

Score: 9

Watchful_Eye
8:03am Mon 5 May 14

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."

What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?

2 + 2 = 5!

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."
What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?
2 + 2 = 5!Watchful_Eye

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."

What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?

2 + 2 = 5!

Score: -5

[deleted]
8:49am Mon 5 May 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]Huey[/bold] wrote:
I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.[/p][/quote]What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bednickynoodah

Huey wrote…

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.

What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bed

Score: -12

[deleted]
9:18am Mon 5 May 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]nickynoodah[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Huey[/bold] wrote:
I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.[/p][/quote]What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bed[/p][/quote]What a miserable person you must be nickynoodah, talk about get back into bed, you obviously got out the wrong side or maybe just don’t like people having a good time.
Too many pubs these days do not sale real ale, let alone local ones.corngoat

nickynoodah wrote…

Huey wrote…

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.

What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bed

What a miserable person you must be nickynoodah, talk about get back into bed, you obviously got out the wrong side or maybe just don’t like people having a good time.
Too many pubs these days do not sale real ale, let alone local ones.

Score: 6

pedantica
11:08am Mon 5 May 14

Watchful_Eye wrote…

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."

What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?

2 + 2 = 5!

Ye Gods! perhaps Mr Gove actually is right, we do need to teach history in chronological order!!!!

[quote][p][bold]Watchful_Eye[/bold] wrote:
“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."
What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?
2 + 2 = 5![/p][/quote]Ye Gods! perhaps Mr Gove actually is right, we do need to teach history in chronological order!!!!pedantica

Watchful_Eye wrote…

“The local villagers would have come inside the castle to be protected, and that is how we set it out."

What year did the Vikings invade? What year was the castle built?

2 + 2 = 5!

Ye Gods! perhaps Mr Gove actually is right, we do need to teach history in chronological order!!!!

Score: -3

Russ18
1:13pm Mon 5 May 14

The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.

A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...

History brought to life

Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).

Turbulent times

Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.

The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.
A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...
History brought to life
Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).
Turbulent times
Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.Russ18

The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.

A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...

History brought to life

Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).

Turbulent times

Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.

Score: 7

[deleted]
1:40pm Mon 5 May 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]nickynoodah[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Huey[/bold] wrote:
I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.[/p][/quote]What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bed[/p][/quote]Everyone on here knows that you are the biggest tnuc around, nickyHuey

nickynoodah wrote…

Huey wrote…

I went with my family and it was fantastic, very well done indeed. The pubs had some great local ales and ciders as well. A great day with fine weather.

What you expect the pubs to sell
You sarcastic tnuc
get back in bed

Everyone on here knows that you are the biggest tnuc around, nicky

Score: 1

nickynoodah
2:36pm Mon 5 May 14

Russ18 wrote…

The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.

A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...

History brought to life

Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).

Turbulent times

Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.

omg thankyou
so it was not Linoleum Bonypart after all.

[quote][p][bold]Russ18[/bold] wrote:
The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.
A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...
History brought to life
Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).
Turbulent times
Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.[/p][/quote]omg thankyou
so it was not Linoleum Bonypart after all.nickynoodah

Russ18 wrote…

The year is 876 and terror once again stalks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Five years ago the Vikings rampaged through the land until Saxon King Alfred was forced to sue for peace. Now the uneasy truce is over.

A new Viking leader, Guthrum, has launched a surprise attack and the Norsemen have captured the important 'burh' of Wareham in Purbeck. Alfred has gathered his army and marched south to expel them. But Wareham is defended by stout earthworks and a frontal assault would be too costly, so Alfred is forced to lay siege to his own town. Now watch as the drama unfolds ...

History brought to life

Visit King Alfred’s Court as part of Saxons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham on 3-5 May at Corfe Castle. You'll get to witness authentic battle re-enactments, join the ranks as a young warrior on either side, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. There are even more opportunities to get hands on with history in the Saxons and Vikings Academy (weekends throughout May).

Turbulent times

Alfred would later be known as Alfred the Great, after defeating the Vikings and laying the foundations of a united England. The siege of Wareham came at a low point for the Anglo-Saxons when most of England was under Viking domination and only Wessex resisted. Alfred himself would be pushed to the brink of defeat before snatching ultimate victory from its jaws.

omg thankyou
so it was not Linoleum Bonypart after all.

Score: -7

pete woodley
10:23pm Mon 5 May 14

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.pete woodley

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

Score: -8

pete woodley
10:24pm Mon 5 May 14

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.pete woodley

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

Score: -8

Russ18
11:58pm Mon 5 May 14

pete woodley wrote…

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall

y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

I agree, why the echo chose to use that Clip I don't know; End of the day it's a re-enactment & tho spears, axes & swords are used, they don't want anybody getting hurt, tho people do; I know of one person where the axe went through his shield & onto an arm & there are no doubt others too.

[quote][p][bold]pete woodley[/bold] wrote:
Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall
y the big lad wrestling with young girl.[/p][/quote]I agree, why the echo chose to use that Clip I don't know; End of the day it's a re-enactment & tho spears, axes & swords are used, they don't want anybody getting hurt, tho people do; I know of one person where the axe went through his shield & onto an arm & there are no doubt others too.Russ18

pete woodley wrote…

Looking at the video,it looked very amateurish,especiall

y the big lad wrestling with young girl.

I agree, why the echo chose to use that Clip I don't know; End of the day it's a re-enactment & tho spears, axes & swords are used, they don't want anybody getting hurt, tho people do; I know of one person where the axe went through his shield & onto an arm & there are no doubt others too.

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